New and Need Help

[FLKaren]

Hi

I have been using my CPAP machine now for a little over a week around 10 days (I have 38 hrs on it). When I first got it home I was able to sleep for 7 hrs the first night, 6 hours the 2nd night and from then on its been little over 2 - 3 hrs a night. I have missed a couple of nights- not even using the machine. I seem to have a feeling of not being able to get enough air. I am using Swift LT for Her Mask (Small) and using a c series Resmed machine (setting on 9) using the ramp function and a resmed heated humidifier.

Once awake I can't seem to get back to sleep, I have this feeling of not enough air and hot flashes.

Should I see if the nasal pillow is too small - I don't seem to have any leaks?? I am waiting to feel that refreshed feeling that is supposed to come with the use of CPAP machine!

Any advice would be helpful.

FLKaren

[Hawthorne]

You didn't say what size pillow you are using with the Swift LT for her. It would not hurt to try the next size up.

I just bought the Swift LT (not the "for her") on cpapauction.com and started with the medium pillows. I had problems. The holes just seemed too small for me to get enough air. When I switched to the large size pillow things really improved.

The Swift LT for her doesn't have a large pillow I don't think. If you are using a XS you can move up to small or even medium and see how it goes.

I'm not sure if the large pillow for the Swift LT would fit on the LT for her or not. If you needed the large and it fit, you could order just the large pillow for the Swift LT from cpap.com I think. You have to check out whether it would fit your mask or not.

[GumbyCT]

Find out what your starting ramp pressure is. My guess is that it's too low or below 7cm. If that is it, it's an easy fix. It does take time to get used to wearing plastic to sleep.
Good Luck,
GumbyCT

[mindy]

Welcome to the forum!

My first mask was the Swift II and I had the same feeling of not getting enough air until I went to a larger size. Another possibility could be the pressure you're using. When my ramp pressure started at 4, I also felt starved for air. Minimum should probably be around 6.

It would help if you would fill out your equipment profile so we know what you're working with.

Also, the wonderful feeling of being rested doesn't come right away for many. For some of us it is a gradual process. By 6 weeks I was feeling definitely better but have seen improvement since then.

Hang in there - CPAP therapy is really important for your health.

Mindy

[GaryGarland]

I'm a newbie (tonight will be my 7th night) but here's the little I learned:
1) my respiratory tech mentioned to try the larger nasal pillow (I have the LT for him) - she said the holes were larger and thus easier to breath with (versus some folks here saying the techs often suggest sizes that are too large - i did consider using the medium but want the larger holes)
2) i DECREASED my ramp time from 20 minutes to 5 and that seems to be more comfortable for me - my initial ramp was 4, and my CPAP pressure is 14 - i find now that i actually breath much easier with the air ramming up my nose than now in my office with a slightly stuffed nose
3) i reduced my humidifier - i tried upping it again last night, and the air seemed warmer in the tube - i like it cooler - plus around 3 a.m. i woke up with water dripping down my nostril (dreaded rain out)
4) "claustrophobia" - when i'm first ramping some nights i feel it - like i can't get enough air. i really don't like opening my mouth with the thing going - wierd suction stuff - so i simply started taking some very long inhales through my nose to the point that my lungs almost hurt - it's like a nasal yawn - seems to help and then i settle down...
5) i'm wondering if you're having a bit more trouble sleeping because you're getting better sleep? maybe you're just not exhausted enough anymore? i did take a tylenol pm 2 times this week - previously the single pill would knock me out until around noon (dragging my feet in the office - my wife couldln't figure out why) - now with the machine i'm groggy at 7 or so and fine at 8 - in other words, i'm actually sleeping it off.
6) this morning was the first i awoke with sores on the outside of my nostrils, on the lower part of my outer "nose" - i guess the swift chafed me last night - i am using aquaphor on the outside (my wife claims based on the kids i should be healed by tonight) though i've tried a litte of ayr gel saline inside and at the edges as well.
hope these suggestions help - bearing in mind the limited knowledge of the source...

[mindy]

Good for you, Gary! I think it's sometimes easier for someone who has just gone through the same thing recently to understand what another person is experiencing.

IMHO, you might try upping your starting ramp pressure to 6. Many of us have found 4 and even 5 to be stifling.

Mindy

[Guest]

Thank You so much for all the help so far appreciate it very much .. sometimes seems your the only one but I guess not. Will check out the ramp pressure and also try a bigger nasal pillow - am using a small now maybe a bigger one will work.

I don't have so much trouble getting off to sleep as I do waking up and its only been 2 hrs of using the machine - then it seems impossible to get back to sleep and I usually try to keep going but end up taking off the mask and either getting up or going back to sleep without it.

Will try to keep trying. Maybe a sleep aid might work or sleep tea!

Thanks
FLKaren

[GumbyCT]

Try any changes before it is time for bed, in case there are any problems. My guess is once you wake up the mind keeps you from going back to sleep. See if you can keep from processing so much when you should be sleeping.

You'll get a variety of opinions on sleep aids. IMO they can contribute to more events just as alcohol can when they both relax your muscles. Don't get me wrong both have their place. If I had to use a sleep aid, I would use melatonin. Just cut it into smaller pieces maybe 1/4 or 1/6. Melatonin is OTC and cheap at Walmart.

Of course a shot of JD could help to

[Robadob]

I use the same mask. I've been on cpap for about a month.

The first week or so I woke up nightly really hot. I adjusted my humidifier down and that has seemed to help a lot. Well that and taking a quilt off the bed.

My DME set me up with a 30 minute ramp. I've decreased it to 10 minutes and that's been better too.

I just keep at it. Solving one problem at a time. Eventually I hope to know what I'm doing and be problem free. A girl can dream, can't she?

Keep at it.

Other things that have helped...
I bought a PapCap. It helps my mask stay in place and also helps my hair from getting crazy.
I tried the Ayr gel before putting on the pillow, but find it better without. I was waking up with a VERY sore nose (it went away rather quickly, but still sore). Without the gel, I'm not having that problem.
Also, counterintuitively the mask straps seem to work better looser than tighter for me.

Bring your questions here... (most) everyone is great. And you'll learn who to ignore.

[mindy]

...I've been on cpap for about a month.

...
I just keep at it. Solving one problem at a time. Eventually I hope to know what I'm doing and be problem free. A girl can dream, can't she?

Keep at it.

...
Bring your questions here... (most) everyone is great. And you'll learn who to ignore.

Perfect, Robadob I suspect it's always a work in progress but it does get much easier. After 1 year plus, I don't throw my mask across the room anymore; I don't get all frustrated and forget what to do when a mask leaks too much - now I more patiently adjust, adjust and adjust some more as needed.

I find I can now use some of the masks I gave up on before; my nose doesn't get sore anymore (!). My AHI is finally below 1.0 and unless I don't get enough sleep (insomnia), I feel good in the morning.

It most definitely does get easier with time and patience.

Mindy